At Union Power, we believe in making an impact in our communities, and we are committed to enriching the lives of our youth through learning – that’s why each year, we award graduating high school seniors with scholarships to North Carolina accredited universities and/or community colleges.
These scholarships help students with the cost of pursuing their dreams of furthering their education; and with an emphasis on financial need, academic achievement, and volunteer/extracurricular experience, we’re awarding those who have made a significant impact in their schools and local communities.
Scholarships will be awarded to the following students for the 2019–2020 school year:
Logan McIntosh, Cabarrus County
Logan is a graduate of McIntosh Christian Academy, with a 4.0 GPA, who will attend Montreat College, majoring in Cybersecurity. Logan has a diverse volunteer background, serving as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, GATE Pregnancy Center, Living Faith Baptist Church, and more. He is also a member of the Zeta Epsilon Honor Society.
Daniel Smith, Cabarrus County
Daniel is a graduate of Hickory Ridge High School, with a 4.46 GPA. He will attend North Carolina State University and plans to study Computer Engineering. Daniel has a passion for technology and computers and has received industry-standard certifications in both Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, as well as, Microsoft Excel and Access.
Nicole Conti, Union County
Nicole is a graduate of Porter Ridge High School, with a 4.65 GPA – graduating first in her class of 440 students. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and plans to study Sociology. She participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities while in school, ranging from the Varsity Women’s golf and swim teams, to the Girls in STEM club.
Spencer Storm, Cabarrus County
Spencer is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, with a 4.02 GPA, who will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Spencer was involved in extracurricular activities such as scouting, track and field, and the Beta Club. He is also a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, Mu Mu Alpha Theta Mathematical Honor Society, and Boy Scouts of America.
Josie Hinson, Stanly County
Josie is a graduate of South Stanly High School, with a 4.1 GPA. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in English/Secondary Education. Josie has been a dedicated student-athlete throughout high school, earning her several awards including the “Team Before Self Award” in 2018. She also served as a recreational soccer coach for youth ages 6-13.
Brynne McKillop, Union County
Brynne is a graduate of the Central Academy of Technology & Arts (CATA), with a 4.05 GPA. She will attend Western Carolina University, majoring in Nursing. She was a part of the Color guard, Creative Writing Club, and Hands Helping Others in school, and also served as a volunteer at Atrium Health Union.
Alexis Patterson, Union County
Alexis is a graduate of Weddington High School, with a 4.3 GPA. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, majoring in Special Education. She has worked with children with special needs at school, and through that work, has developed a passion for helping those in need. “I want to advocate for members of our society that may be overlooked and need someone in their corner,” Alexis said.
Maggie Thomas, Union County
Maggie is a graduate of Piedmont High School, with a 4.3 GPA. She will attend North Carolina State University and plans to study Crop Biotechnology. Her goal is to make a difference in the agriculture field and the world by improving the environment and breaking the stigma and empowering other women to pursue careers in science.
Sara Thomas, Union County
Sara is a graduate of Piedmont High School, with a 4.0 GPA. She will attend Appalachian State University and plans to study Elementary Education. Sara played tennis and was a member of the Leo Club, International Club, the National Art Honor Society, and more.
Madelyn Starr, Union County
Madelyn is a graduate of the Central Academy of Technology & Arts (CATA), with a 4.44 GPA. She will attend Elon University, majoring in History. Madelyn is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She also served as a Peer Tutor and volunteered with Relay for Life and the Union County Special Olympics.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients! High school seniors can learn more or apply for the annually awarded scholarships online by visiting union-power.com.
Educators: Apply Early for a Bright Ideas Grant and You Could Win $100
It pays to apply early for a Bright Ideas education grant! Teachers who submit their grant application by the Aug. 15 early bird deadline will be entered into a statewide drawing to win one of five $100 gift cards.
The final deadline to apply for a Bright Ideas grant from Union Power is Sept. 15.
The Bright Ideas education grant program is celebrating 25 years of making creative, innovative projects possible in North Carolina K–12 classrooms. Since the program began in 1994, educators statewide have received more than $12.2 million in Bright Ideas grant funding for nearly 11,700 projects benefiting 2.3 million North Carolina students.
To learn more about the program and apply, visit ncbrightideas.com or visit Union Power Cooperative.
